The American Medical Association (AMA) has adopted several new public health policies aimed at improving the nation's health. These policies were finalized during the AMA Interim Meeting and cover a range of issues including social media safeguards for children, mpox prevention, rural cancer care access, insurance coverage for donated human breast milk, and sodium intake reduction.
A significant policy focuses on protecting children and adolescents using social media. The AMA aims to ensure that safeguards are in place to protect young people from potential harms associated with social media use while acknowledging its benefits. "It is essential that we work together across the health care and tech industries...to better understand the mental and physical health impacts of social media use on our nation’s youth," said AMA Board Member Alexander Ding, M.D., M.S., M.B.A.
Another policy addresses mpox as a public health threat. The World Health Organization declared mpox in certain African countries a public health emergency. The AMA's policy promotes ongoing surveillance and resource allocation to prevent future outbreaks. "Although mpox is not currently circulating widely in the U.S., we should remain vigilant," stated AMA Board Member Lynn Jeffers, M.D., M.B.A.
The AMA also seeks to improve access to comprehensive cancer care services in rural areas where disparities persist. "It is unacceptable that people living in rural communities...have a higher death rate from cancer than those in metropolitan areas," said Dr. Ding.
In addition, the AMA calls for private and public insurers to cover donor human breast milk for high-risk infants when maternal milk is unavailable or insufficient. "Sometimes donor human milk becomes essential when a mother’s own milk supply often isn’t enough," explained AMA Board Member Scott Ferguson, M.D.
Finally, addressing sodium intake is another focus area. The new policy urges the FDA to expedite voluntary sodium reduction targets as part of efforts to reduce hypertension-related health issues nationwide. "Reducing population level sodium intake can have beneficial public health outcomes," noted Dr. Jeffers.
These policies reflect the AMA's commitment to tackling pressing public health challenges through strategic initiatives and advocacy efforts.
